etyn

Every Time You're Near

An Excerpt from my award winning Manuscript:

Chapter One / page 4

His narrowed eyes traipsed a prickly trail over every inch of her. He was as handsome as ever. Sandy haired, rich brown eyes, tall and oozing masculinity. No wonder she’d fallen for him once.

It had been years since she’d been this close to him. Her skin warmed and she swallowed hard at the unwelcome reminder. He hadn’t changed. And apparently her response to him hadn’t, either.

“Discharge you?” he asked. “When did I employ you? And what the devil for?”

When she opened her mouth to speak, her lips stuck to her teeth and her words caught in the desert of her throat. “I…” she rasped, the words tangling in the demoralizing confrontation.

“And that’s it? No explanation for this ruse? The great Lady Amelia Covington, whose frivolous life revolves around the endless entertaining utterances of foolish females, has nothing else to say?” He straightened to his full, formidable height, brought a hand to his chest and mocked, “Surely you have a word for me.”

Her head snapped up, that bit of nonsense disentangled her tongue, and she levelled a chilling glare at him. “My word? Dolt. That’s my word for you, Lord Richfield.” She said this last part with revulsion, treating him to an insulting inspection as he’d just done to her.

Lightning fast, he snatched the silly gray mobcap from her head, knocking the hair coiled beneath into a disorderly mess of bright burgundy curls. “What’s the game, Amelia?”

The use of first names amongst the ton was a privilege that demanded permission, something she’d given him three years ago. But not today. He’d lost that right when he’d thrown her away, spoiled and abandoned like yesterday’s rubbish.

“I don’t know, Mitchell. What do you think it is?” she retorted, showing him the same lack of respect.

The muscle in his jaw ticked and his nostrils flared. “A maid? In my house.” He threw the rumpled cap over her head. “My house.”

“Yes. A maid. In your house. Why else would I be dressed like this?” Her eyes flashed with each inflection, and she popped her apron at the last, frustrated over an obvious answer to a needless question.

His gaze darted over her and he sighed, clearly struggling with the truth of her presence. “Sit.”

“I have work to do.”

“No, you’re discharged. Now sit.”

Every Time You’re Near Takes FIRST PLACE! Did I scream? Yes I did!

Royal Ascot Top 10 for 2018

So excited to get this little flag in my e-mail today!

*** After he promised to forget a drunken kiss, she wanted more, much more. Until scandalous secrets threaten to pull them apart forever. *** (pitch war pick 2017) Every Time You're Near

Line edits are underway! There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I mean to reach it's end soon. "Every Time You're Near " will make a debut in 2020 :)

In the meantime, I'm busy working on a project close to my heart, and characters who live beyond my writing. Grant and Nicolette will appear in "The Forfeit" sooner than later, I hope. Stay tuned for more updates.

*** Once ardent lovers, now hateful enemies. If ruining her wasn’t enough, a forged birthright and assassinating her uncle didn’t help.*** (pitch war pick 2017) Every Time You're Near

Every Time You're Near

Ruining her, ruined him.

Battle lines between the Earl of Richfield and his neighbor Lady Amelia Covington had been drawn three years ago. She’d won his rakish heart even before her comeout. But what he’d thought was love had apparently been nothing more than a tryst to the lady. Now, for some mysterious reason, she’s shown up as a parlor maid in his home. Lady Amelia’s proximity proves to be a problem for his body, not to mention his heart. He may keep her secret, but losing himself to her again is not an option.

After three years of no contact with Lord Richfield, Amelia Covington finds herself in the humbling position of having to work for the infuriatingly handsome earl. But staying away from the lying rogue who’d trampled her heart turns out to be more difficult than she’d first imagined. Now Amelia must either trust her former lover with her secrets or find another impossible solution. Her deep loathing for the earl may keep her silent, but she cannot quiet her traitorous heart.

She was once his soul’s desire. He was once her truest love. Will the family secret that brought her there, and the dangerous knowledge he carries, destroy them both or bind them for eternity?